Long before the baby shower actually takes place, it’s important to start planning the baby-shower thank you’s. It’s a given that the guest of honor will be showered with fabulous gifts. Acknowledging these gifts with a thank-you card is an absolute must. Oh, but what a chore! Remembering who gave what; picking out cute cards; writing something gracious; addressing envelopes; the list goes on. Whether you are the mom-to-be or the person hosting the shower, you can make the task easier by planning the baby-shower thank you’s ahead of time.

Helping with Baby-Shower Thank You’sIf you’re the hostess, you will already have a list of names and addresses of each guest to send out invitations. Why not computerize this list and use your software to create printed envelopes? Not only will you have made addressing the invitations a breeze, you’ll have also eased the burden on the guest of honor by being able to present her with preprinted envelopes for her baby shower thank you’s.

To pull this off without a hitch, coordinate with the mom-to-be. Let her know that you’ll create a database of names and addresses and can print envelopes or labels for her thank-you notes. Use a program such as Microsoft Word to create the envelopes. For example, Word contains “Mailings” and “Mail Merge” sections that make it a snap to create envelopes and labels using a recipient list. You can create this list within the software or import it from a database such as Microsoft Excel. Several other programs are available with similar features.

No matter which software program you use to create your envelopes, choose a large, script-style font. While it’s preferable to hand-address envelopes, a high-quality printout using a legible, elegant font is also acceptable. If the mom-to-be prefers to hand-write the addresses, you can still save her time by preprinting her return address on the envelope and handing her the database list.

When printing the envelopes, make sure to choose envelopes that the baby-shower thank you’s will fit into. This is especially important if you’re handmaking the cards. If possible, use the envelopes that came with the cards. Most modern printers have adjustable settings, allowing you to print an envelope with ease. It may take a bit of trial and error to get everything lined up. Use blank copy paper as you experiment so you don’t waste a bunch of envelopes during this phase.

During the baby shower, the hostess usually keeps track of who gave which gift so the mom-to-be can write an appropriate thank-you card. You can do this in several ways. One easy way is to use your database of guests’ names and sort it alphabetically by first name. Copy the names into a word-processing document and leave enough space to write in the gift next to each name. For example, your printout might look something like this:

Now, print out the list and attach it to a clipboard. During the baby shower, you will be able to quickly find each person’s name on the alphabetical list and list the appropriate gift.

Another idea is to use index cards or sticky notes if you’re sure you won’t misplace them. This technique is useful if you already have the cards and envelopes preprinted. Simply write down the person’s name and the gift she brought on a single card or sticky note and set it aside. For index cards, set the completed card into a card file box. For sticky notes, stick each completed note inside a file folder or other safe place.

Once the shower’s over, you can match the preprinted envelope with the index card or sticky note. Take each envelope and slip a thank-you card, along with the matching index card or sticky note, with the gift’s information under the flap. Use a paper clip to keep each set firmly together. For an added touch for the mom-to-be, you can prestamp the envelopes. Place in a stack and give the stack of prepared cards to the guest of honor. When it comes time for her to write her baby-shower thank you’s, all she will need to do is take one card out of the stack at a time, refer to the information bundled with it, write a gracious note of thanks, and insert the card into the preprinted envelope.

Ideas for Creative Baby-Shower Thank You’sInstead of buying a box of thank-you cards from the stationery store, why not make your own? Making your own personal baby-shower thank-you cards is a fun way to say “thanks.” The choices are limited only by your imagination.

If you’re artistic, you can buy blank cardstock and decorate the cards any number of ways, from stamps to watercolors. Do you have a friend with a baby? Would she be willing to let you paint the baby’s foot with washable paint for footprint stamps on each card? Do you have lots of spare buttons, charms, and other decorative items? Why not glue a big button on the center of each card and draw a simple flower around it with the button being the flower’s center?

If you’re not as artistic as you’d like to be, that’s okay: computers and clipart can fill the void. Just as you can buy blank card stock for homemade art cards, you can also buy blank card stock specifically designed for your inkjet printer. These often come with templates or point you to websites where you can download templates.

How to Write Gracious Baby-Shower Thank You’sNow that you have the envelopes pre-addressed, cards made, and gift-giver information, the time has come to write the actual thank-you note. Gift givers aren’t terribly demanding, but they do want to know that you received the gift, like it and will use it. A gracious note acknowledges each of these points. A note that says simply, “Thanks for the baby gift” won’t cut it. A preferable note will thank them specifically for the gift they selected, let them know how much you like it, and include a brief mention of how the gift will make your life easier or how you see using it when the baby is born.

For example, you might say something like this:

Thank you for the cool umbrella stroller. I love how easy it is to fold and the pattern is simply adorable! I know we’ll get a lot of use out of this, especially on outings to the zoo.

When dreaming up ideas for baby-shower festivities, it’s easy to postpone thinking about baby-shower thank you’s. But doing so only postpones the inevitable. Scrambling for a piece of paper and a pen at the last minute should be avoided at all cost. Instead, have a list ready to go on a clipboard and quietly take your notes. By planning ahead, you can take the hassle out of addressing envelopes and make the entire task much easier. The easier it is, the more you’ll be able to focus on the words that go inside.

What Kind of Hostess Are You? Unforgettable parties begin and end with a good hostess that welcomes each and every guest with open arms. The hostess of all hostesses provides an inviting atmosphere filled with mood, food, beverages and entertainment. Are you a good hostess? Take the party hostess quiz to discover just what kind of hostess you really are.